Even decades after release, theAlienfranchise continues to endure while showcasing just how much potential still remains in its classic sci-fi horror formula. While not every game adaptation of theAlienconcepts has managed to achieve the same heights, there is still plenty of hope for the next entry in the beloved galaxy-spanning franchise.
While shows likeAlien: Earthoffers a refreshing take on the Xenomorph-centric franchise,many ofAlien’s entries fall into a somewhat repetitive formula that fails to capitalizeon the series' greatest strengths. Even if I still have high hopes for the next venture in the setting ofAlien, it’s clear the series has to ditch this trend before it’s too late.
Taking The Wrong Lessons From The Best Alien Film
Even ifAliens: Colonial Marinesis by no means a terrible game in its own right, its biggest flaw is becoming a generic horde shooter that treats most xenomorphs as basic canon fodder, rather than the unknown and terrifying apex predators of the films.
WhileAliens: Colonial Marinesis likelybetter than you remember, it’s still far from the greatest entry that the series has to offer, even if it takes inspiration from the highest-rated film in the series. Compared to the more generic FPS gameplay ofColonial Marines,the tactical squad-based RPGAliens: Dark Descentoffers a drastically fresher take on the concept, while innovating on an already tension-filled genre.
Even if the birds-eye view takes away from some of the horror aspects, it arguably does an even better job at capitalizing on the fear factor of the series, all while keeping your crew alive against various Xenomorph and other futuristic threats galore.
Alien: Isolation Got It Right Ages Ago
Setting A New Standard For Horror Games To Follow
Thankfully,there is still one title in theAlienfranchise that managed to faithfully recreate the tense horror and sparse action of the films, withAlien: Isolationproving it’s still possible toadapt the series outside of constant shooter-based combat.
Rather than having countless Xenomorphs that wind up losing their edge after the introduction,Isolation’s stalker-style gameplay and emphasis on stealth are everything I wanted from an official adaptation, forcing creative decision-making on the fly.
Even outside theAlienfranchise itself,Alien: Isolationset a new standard for the horror genre as a whole, with its intelligent Xenomorph AI and adaptive game mechanics keeping the horrifying atmosphere raised from start to finish. While the sequel to the legendaryAlien: Isolationis finally in the early stages of development, it will behard to pull offthe iconic gameplay experience without jumping the shark like the FPS predecessors before it.
